Motorized kayak

ABSTRACT

The motorized kayak includes foot pedal operated steering, and a selective lever that controls the polarity and speed of an electric motor, which can be retracted when not in use, as can the aft rudder. The kayak preferably has a topside axial enclosure, which may be rendered watertight and used as a bait tank or other liquid container, and typically at least one additional enclosure positioned transversely to the axial enclosure, which may or may not be watertight. These enclosures are preferably configured with the upper surfaces of their covers at a single level, for use collectively as an extended, relatively flat fishing seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No.11/313,088, filed Dec. 20, 2005, now allowed for issuance, which, inturn, is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/183,150,filed Jul. 15, 2005 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,531.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of kayaks for use in water sportactivities and particularly to those incorporating motorized propulsionmeans.

2. Description of Prior Art

At some time in the mists of prehistory, the Inuit discovered that adurable, lightweight, waterproof boat could be constructed fromsealskins stretched tightly over a seal bone frame. Various improvementswere made in these small, portable boats, over the years. One of thebest known is version in which the user, dressed in warm, waterproofclothing, slides himself into the interior of the boat through a smallopening at the top, forming a watertight seal between his clothing andthe opening, in a sense becoming one with the boat. With half of thecombined weight of his body, clothing and the boat below the waterline,he can easily roll the boat through a 360° circuit and emerge upright,after having been submerged in the icy waters for a very short time.While he might, at worst, experience a mouthful of salt water, his boatcannot be permanently capsized, and he will not drown, even if he, likemany Inuit, cannot swim.

These skin boats were called qayaq in the Inuit language, from which wederive the word kayak. Sports enthusiasts—and ordinary people who justenjoy being in the sun and cruising along in the water—have discoveredthe utility and simplicity of kayaks. They are now popular everywherethat aquatic activities are practiced. Naturally, man's ingenuitycontinues to add refinements to the basic Inuit concept. But itsfundamental features have remained the same.

For example, while many kayaks, following the original qayaq design, arerigid, others are inflatable. One of many such designs is shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,421, which is fully incorporated hereinby reference. Such a design has the advantage of being collapsible, foreasy storage and transportation. However, like all collapsible devices,some means must be provided to re-inflate or otherwise re-assemble sucha kayak for use. This may prove difficult, or at least inconvenient.Accordingly, most sporting kayaks, today, are of rigid construction,which not only obviates the need for re-assembly at the location ofusage, but also provides increased structural integrity. In thatrespect, among others, the Inuit were correct.

Those who enjoy kayaking also seek to augment their experience byintegrating the basic sport of kayaking with other activities. In asense, they are simply following the original Inuit concept. Just as theInuit, modern kayakers also use them for fishing, for example. Theproblem has been in what to do with the fishing gear. Of course, it canbe strapped to the top of the kayak, in transverse orientation, as shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,527, which is fully incorporated herein byreference. Indeed, even the paddle can be transversely mounted, as shownin U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,145, which is likewise fully incorporated hereinby reference. While there is nothing particularly wrong with transversemounting of fishing poles or paddles, in a utilitarian sense, theoverall configuration appears clumsy and awkward. After all, one of thepleasant aspects of water sports, generally, is the feeling of smoothlygliding through the water, like a fish or dolphin. These designs wouldappear to interfere with that aesthetic sense.

Similarly, kayakers enjoy bringing along refreshments and other items,such as beverage coolers, radios, TV sets, CD or DVD players, additionalfishing gear, books . . . whatever their individual interests dictate.Many inventors have provided means to store such items in kayaks, invarious ways. Exemplary are those shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,739,720; 5,605,112; 6,050,213; and 6,840,190; and in Published U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/280,300 (Publication No. US 2004/0079273A1)—all of these fully incorporated herein by reference. But the problemwith these and the other conceptually similar designs is that thestorage means are awkward, even ugly, and, perhaps even worse, seem tointegrate poorly into the overall kayak design. As has been saidpreviously, kayaking is, after all, an aesthetic experience. Bulky,projecting items detract from that sense of joining the other aquaticcreatures.

A corollary problem is that of passengers. Of course, it is possible toenjoy a day in the water alone. But there are few activities that arebest enjoyed alone. Man is a social creature. People need to share theirfun with others. So the question arises: Where do you place your kayakpassenger . . . or passengers?

U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,551 (“Beres”), which is fully incorporated herein byreference, seeks to answer that question. In that patent, hatch covers28 and/or 30 can be removed and replaced with utility receptacles 96and/or 98, respectively. Beres suggests that these can be used as achild's seat (see, description of his FIG. 7 and reference to element104).

In the particular configuration chosen by Beres, whose motive power isprovided by pedals operated by the driver, spinning a propeller at therear extremity of a drive shaft, there is little space within the kayakfor storage. Because of the manner in which the kayak is driven, it isnecessary for the driver to sit within the kayak, with legs essentiallyextended, or at least bent with knees upward. In practical reality, thedesign of such a kayak would almost necessitate there being a relativelylong distance between the back of the seat 22 and the pedals 10, so thatthe driver can provide strong thrust without cramping his or her legs.This would mean that the forward utility receptacle 96 would have to bequite shallow, or otherwise near the forward end of the kayak. This, inturn, means that if a child's seat were installed in one of the spaces58 left by a removed utility receptacle, it would most like have to bethe aft one. But this would mean that the driver could not constantlymonitor the activities of the child passenger, who would probably bequite small, due to the apparently small size of the available seating.The fact that the drive shaft is in the aft portion of the kayak furthercontributes to the small size of the seat.

Furthermore, since the Beres utility receptacles fit through large,horizontal openings in the top of his kayak and extend far downward intothe space 58, there would be little room for anything else to be storedin the interior of his kayak, even if ordinary paddles were used insteadof the peddle mechanism taught there. Where, for example, would thefishing pole and other fishing gear, or radio, or TV set, or beveragecooler be stored? In the Beres design, a few small things might bestorable in one or both of the utility receptacles, but certainlynothing very long, such as a fishing pole or extra paddle. Beres' large,horizontal hatches also reduce the structural integrity of the kayak,necessitating structural reinforcement or considerable risk of collapse.

More efficient kayak designs have recently been developed, withincreased interior space usable as a storage hold. In such designs, asuperficial hatch cover may be provided to seal off hatch access to thehold to prevent water intrusion into the hold. While some of thesedesigns may provide increased storage space, none provides easy accessfor storage and retrieval of long items, such as fishing poles.Furthermore, none of these designs provides passenger seating at or neara forward hatch that does not materially reduce the storage volume ofthe hold.

Recently, thought has been given to providing motor propulsion, torelieve the operator of the chore of having to paddle the kayak throughthe water. One example of a motorized kayak is shown in the website ofKirk Becraft, whose design is designated “Electriak Powered Kayak” andshown at http://foxxaero.homestead.com/indun_(—)001.html, which statesthat it was last modified on Feb. 5, 2004. This design might providemotive power for a kayaker whose physical handicap precludes paddling,as suggested in the website. However, for fishing applications it wouldbe desirable for the operator's hands to be free. Although pedaloperated kayaks have been offered for sale, these have incorporatedsimple rudder control pedals intended to be used with paddles forcoordinated steering. No motorized kayak with pedal operated steeringhas been seen by the inventor in the art or on sale. Thus, withouthands-free steering, the motorized kayak design suggested in the Becraftwebsite would be essentially useless for trolling, being perhapssuitable for stationary fishing, but little else. For the latterapplications, it would seem that paddles would suffice for operators whoare fit enough to handle a fishing pole.

Additionally, no kayak has been provided with a secured or integraltopside enclosure that can be rendered watertight, for use as a baittank or other liquid-containing device, with a cover upon which a personmay sit while fishing, together with one or more additional storageenclosures, transverse to the first enclosure, where, preferably, thecovers of these additional storage enclosures may essentially be at theplane of the first enclosure for expanded seating.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a buoyant, substantially waterproof kayak in which theoperator sits atop or partially within the kayak, with perhaps the lowerlegs extending into a forward recess in the top of the vehicle. Thekayak is provided with a hold for storage even of relatively large andlong items. Scupper drains may be provided, through which water enteringthe upper external portion of the kayak may drain into the ambient. Aforward hatch is provided for access to the storage hold, with awatertight forward hatch cover. In some embodiments, an aft hatch isprovided, with a watertight aft hatch cover. In the latter embodiments,the aft hatch plane is substantially angled in respect to the uppersurface of the kayak, so that long items may easily be inserted forwardinto the hold from the aft hatch. Near the forward hatch may be aforward passenger seat, which may be incorporated into the forward hatchcover or may replace it as a separate element. In embodiments where theforward passenger seat is a separate element, it may be attached to thekayak by the same attachment mechanism as the forward hatch cover, andbe likewise secured to the kayak body to provide a waterproof seal. Likethe forward hatch cover, such a separate forward passenger seat does notextend into the body of the kayak, and thus does not materially decreasethe storage volume. A second passenger seat may be provided aft of theoperator, e.g., by molding a seat-shaped indentation into the uppersurface of the kayak. In further embodiments, a rounded tank is securedto the kayak, e.g., by molding it centrally, forward of the operatorseat. The tank may be used as a bait tank or perhaps as a beveragecooler. If such a tank is provided, a fishing seat may be cinched downatop the tank cover or adhesively attached atop the tank cover. Whilefishing, the operator can sit on the tank cover or fishing seattransversely to the axis of the kayak, with the feet dangling off oneside of the kayak. Overflow means are provided to direct any tankcontents that might splash out of the tank into one or more scupperdrains for drainage away from the kayak.

The first topside enclosure (e.g., a bait tank or beverage cooler) maybe axially-positioned, with one additional, transversely positionedstorage enclosure on one side of the first enclosure, or two additional,transversely positioned storage enclosures, one on either side of thefirst enclosure, either or both of which may be rendered watertight ifdesired Such additional enclosure(s) may be used for any handy purpose,such as storage of additional equipment, a battery and/or switchassembly or any other desired item(s). Preferably, such enclosure(s) may(each) be fitted with a selectively detachable or otherwise operablecover, to expose its interior as desired. Any of the two or threeenclosures may be detachable from the kayak, or all may be integral withthe kayak. The interior of such additional storage enclosure(s),particularly if integral with the hull, may be provided with an openingfor access to the kayak's storage hold. Alternatively, if suchadditional enclosure(s) is/are detachable from the kayak, an accessopening to the hold may be provided, for exposure when the respectivestorage enclosure is removed. These enclosures and their respectivecovers may be configured so that when closed their covers may beessentially coplanar and thus, together, provide expansive seating,usable, for example, as a relatively comfortable fishing seat.

Additionally, the kayak of the present invention is provided with amotor that the operator may engage and disengage as desired. Forward andbackward speed control may also be provided. Hands-free rudder operationis provided, preferably controlled by use of foot pedals.

Other aspects of the invention will be seen in reference to the Drawingand the ensuing discussion of the preferred embodiments in referencethereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a kayak according to an embodiment ofthe invention without motor-related features.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the forward portion of the kayak of FIG.1, showing details of the seat in which the child shown in FIG. 1 isseated.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the forward portion of the kayak shown in FIG.1, with an attached forward hatch cover that may be replaced by the seatshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the forward portion of the kayak shown in FIGS.1, 2 and 3, with the seat shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 replacing the hatchcover shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the forward portion of the kayak shown in FIGS.1 to 4, without a hatch cover, as shown in FIG. 3, or seat, as shown inFIG. 4, in position.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the forward portion of thekayak shown in FIG. 1, with the seat shown in FIG. 4 being removed.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a snap buckle by which the hatch cover ofFIG. 3 or seat of FIG. 4 may be attached to the kayak shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the kayak withforward and aft seats, without the motor features of the principalembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the kayak in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the kayak in which anintegral tank and aft hatch are provided, with exploded views of thetank cover and fishing seat, and the aft hatch cover, without themotor-related features herein disclosed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment having an integral tank,of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, with the operator shown in phantomin position for fishing.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway side elevation view of the tank through Section12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a plan detail view of the bottom of the kayak from 13-13 ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective plan view of the top of a kayak according to amultiple-enclosure embodiment of the invention, without a motor, witheach cover shown in closed position.

FIG. 15 is a detail plan perspective view of the circular region 400shown in FIG. 14, with the three enclosure covers shown in FIG. 14likewise in closed configuration.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15, but with the covers shown in openconfiguration.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of a securing bar in the axial enclosure ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the kayak showing three enclosures in closedconfiguration.

FIG. 19 is a detailed depiction of the plan view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a cutaway elevation through section 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a detail plan view of the lower surface of a kayak accordingto an embodiment of the invention without a motor.

FIG. 22 is an elevation of an alternative embodiment of the securing barof FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is a detail plan perspective view of the circular region 490 ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 24 is a cutaway perspective view of an axial enclosure according toan embodiment of the invention without a motor.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective, similar to FIG. 15, but in reverseorientation, showing a removed side container.

FIG. 26 is a detail perspective view of a motorized kayak according toan embodiment of the invention, showing rudder-control foot pedals inposition.

FIG. 27 is a cutaway detail plan view of the foot pedal assembly shownin FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a section through FIG. 27 showing details of the foot pedalassembly.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the kayak of an embodiment of theinvention, showing the rudder assembly, the motor (in phantom), the footpedal assemblies and, partially in phantom, the cables connecting thefoot pedal assemblies to the rudder.

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the kayak of thepresent invention, showing the rudder and the motor in engaged position.

FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of details of the motor shaft, showinga detent assembly engaged while the motor is in disengaged position.

FIG. 32 is a plan view of the kayak of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention with many features similar to those shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 33 is a detail, partially phantom view of the kayak of thepreferred embodiment, showing the motor in engaged position, togetherwith the battery, speed control mechanism and foot-pedal rudderoperation assemblies.

FIG. 34 is a simplified perspective plan view of an embodiment of thekayak of the present invention, showing the rudder assembly in the aftportion of the kayak, in engaged position, with a phantom view of thecables connecting the foot pedal assemblies with the rudder.

FIG. 35 is a detail perspective view of the rudder of the kayak shown inFIG. 34 in disengaged position, but not quite in rest position.

FIG. 36 is a detail perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thekayak rudder in disengaged and rest position.

FIG. 37 is a detail perspective view of the embodiment of the kayakrudder assembly in engaged position and associated structures shown inFIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a detail plan perspective view of the lower surface of akayak according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, with themotor shown in engaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the ensuing discussion, initial emphasis will be placed on featuresof the invention not relating to the motor, rudder and associatedassemblies that are important features of the present kayak design. Oncethe features shown in FIGS. 1 to 25 have been discussed, attention willbe directed to the features of the present preferred embodiment relatingto motorized propulsion.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the kayak 10 of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a hull 20 with a forward portion 30 and aftportion 40. The hull may be constructed of any convenient material thatis lightweight, structurally sound and easily formed as desired. I havefound that polyethylene provides sufficient strength, and is alsoinexpensive and easily molded. But there are doubtless other materialsthat could be substituted, such as other plastics or fiberglass. Thoseof ordinary skill in kayak building and molding can doubtless applytheir expertise to this task, without departing from the essentialfeatures and scope of the invention.

As shown, e.g., in FIG. 9, the kayak is provided with a forward carryinghandle 32, and aft carrying handle 42, a left center carrying handle 45a and a right carrying handle 45 b.

In the embodiment shown, e.g., in FIG. 1, the operator 50 and forwardpassenger 60 are seated facing one another, while the operator propelsthe kayak 10 by means of a paddle 70. It will be noted, from FIG. 1,that the operator is seated in an operator seat 80 (see, e.g., FIG. 9),which, in the preferred embodiment, is the stepped-up rearward extensionof a forward recess 82 integrally molded into the top 90 of the kayak 10itself. The particular shape of the operator seat and of the forwardrecess in general are not precisely shown, as this overall element ofthe kayak can be configured as desired, well within the basic conceptand scope of this invention. However, the operator seat pad 83 is shownin position in, e.g., FIGS. 1, 8 and 11, as it would be in embodimentswhere such a pad is provided. In such embodiments, the operator seat padmay be attached to the kayak, in position, by clipping the outer end ofleft operator seat pad strap 183 a to one of the left forward seat loops212 a or 212 c, and by clipping the outer end of right operator seat padstrap 183 b to one of the right forward seat loops 212 b or 212 d. Theback of the operator seat pad may likewise be connected, by straps (notshown) to left rear seat back loop 214 a and right rear seat back loop214 b. The actual connection means is left to the practitioner's choice,although it could be an ordinary clip, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 11, or atoggle clip, as almost universally used to connect a leash to a dog'scollar. When not in use, the operator seat pad may be stored in thehold.

The operator's legs 52 may extend into the forward portion 84 of theforward recess 82 (see, e.g., FIG. 9). This forward portion may bedivided, as shown, into two separate sub-portions, or may be a singlerecessed space. However, if divided, as shown, the resulting kayakstructure may be more rigid and structurally sound.

The forward passenger 60 sits in the forward passenger seat 100.Referring to FIG. 2, the forward passenger sits in the forward passengerspace 102 in the forward passenger seat, comprising a forward passengerseat back 104 and forward passenger hip support 106. The forwardpassenger's legs 62 may also be extended into the forward portion 84 ofthe forward recess 82, or the feet may be positioned into the forwardpassenger foot stops 86 a and 86 b.

The forward passenger seat 100 is secured to the kayak 10 by means of aforward strap 110, comprising a forward strap kayak segment 111 and aforward strap seat segment 112 s. The forward strap kayak segment andforward strap seat segment are connected by means of a snap buckle 114,as described below. The forward strap seat segment is secured to theforward passenger seat 100 preferably by means of a forward seat rivet116. Other means of attachment are doubtless possible. However, it willbe understood by those or ordinary skill in the art that all means ofattachment utilized in the kayak according to the present invention mustbe sealed to prevent water intrusion. This can be done in anyconventional way, and need not be described in detail.

Two pairs of additional securing straps are used to provide secure,waterproof attachment of the forward passenger seat 100 to the kayak 10.As shown, e.g., in FIG. 2, the second seat straps 120 a and 120 b arelocated aft of the forward strap 110. It can be seen from FIG. 2 andother figures in the Drawing, that these are constructed and securedsimilarly to the forward strap 110. Therefore, since there is nothingnovel in these configurations, which are well within the level ofordinary skill in the art, no specific details will be given. Suffice tosay that all seat straps must cause the forward passenger seat to besecured firmly to the kayak, providing a waterproof seal (see, below),and be detachable. The third seat straps 130 a and 130 b are positionedaft of the second seat straps 120 a and 120 b and are constructed andsecured similarly to the latter. By properly positioning these threesets of straps, 110, 120 and 130, a tight, waterproof seal may beprovided at or near the periphery 140 of the junction between thepassenger seat 100 and kayak 10.

Within the top of the forward passenger seat 100, forward of the forwardpassenger space 102, an external forward storage space 150 is provided.Articles may be secured into this storage space by means of ropes orwebbing (not shown), which may be strung through retaining loops. 152 a,152 b, 152 c, 152 d, 152 d and 152 f. Of course, a flexible, perhapswaterproof, covering could alternatively or additionally be used, withits corners clipped or otherwise conveniently attached to theseretaining loops.

Forward passenger fishing pole retainers 160 a and 160 b may also beprovided in the passenger seat 100, if desired. There is nothingparticularly novel about these forward passenger seat fishing poleretainers. Therefore, they will not be described in detail, except toshow right aft fishing pole retainer 175 b in FIG. 10, where it is seento comprise an essentially cylindrical holding portion 179 with astopped lower end 181. Likewise, the pair of forward center fishing poleretainers 165 a and 165 b will not be described in detail, except asshown in the Drawing (see, e.g., aft fishing pole retainers 175 a and175 b in FIG. 9). These are entirely conventional and, like thepassenger seat fishing pole retainers, are inserted into recessesprovided in the top 90 of the kayak, and secured to the kayak by meansof some convenient secure, waterproof junction, appropriate to the typeof material selected for construction of the kayak 10.

Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the forward passenger seat 100is removed from the kayak 10 by disconnecting the forward strap kayaksegment 111 from the forward strap seat segment 112 s, and similarlydisconnecting the second seat straps 120 a and 120 b and the third seatstraps 130 a and 130 b, and lifting it out. It is secured to the kayakby connecting these five straps. When secured to the kayak 10, theforward passenger seat 100 is sealed tightly and in waterproof fashion.To accomplish this, the entire lower bearing surface 142 of the forwardpassenger seat is brought into firm contact with the forward seatreception portion 144 of the top 90 of the kayak, near the periphery140, while the forward seat insertion plug 146 is slid downward alongthe forward cargo hatch wall 148. It can easily be seen and appreciatedthat the various contacting elements of the passenger seat and kayak topare dimensioned for a close fit. Inserting the forward passenger seatinto the kayak in this manner brings the lower bearing portion of theforward passenger seat into firm contact with the cargo hold O-ring 149.When all five of the straps 110, 120 and 130 are connected—having beenpreviously adjusted for proper relative length in a conventionalmanner—a tight, waterproof seal is provided between the forwardpassenger seat and the kayak, preventing seepage of water into the cargohold 170. See, FIG. 5. This protects the contents of the hold, e.g., afishing pole 172, a radio (for entertainment or navigation) 174 or anyother contents, from water damage.

If it is not desired to accommodate a passenger, the forward hatch cover180 can replace the forward passenger seat 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Whena passenger accompanies the operator, the forward hatch cover can bestored in the cargo hold 170. The forward hatch cover is secured to thekayak in the same manner as the forward passenger seat, and allcorresponding connections and positioning are identical, with the sameeffect. Thus, the lower bearing surfaces of the forward hatch cover arenot shown, as they merely duplicate those of the forward passenger seat,as shown.

For example, the forward passenger seat 100 and the forward hatch cover180 are provided with insertion plugs 146, so that positioning, supportand seal are virtually identical regardless of which device covers thecargo hold 170 at that position. It will be noted, in particular, thatneither the forward passenger seat insertion plug nor forward hatchcover insertion plug projects materially into the cargo hold, itself.Either device need project only far enough into the top 90 of the kayakto form a secure bearing surface with the cargo hatch wall 148. Thus, ifthis downward projection is kept to a minimum, as in the preferredembodiment of the invention, none, or virtually none, of the volume ofthe cargo hold will be used by the forward passenger seat or forwardhatch cover. This preservation of maximum cargo hold volume is animportant feature of the present invention.

While the connectors incorporated into the straps can be of many typesor configurations, the presently most inexpensive yet effective type ofconnector for the present purposes appears to be a familiar snap buckle114, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 7. Assuming that the strap thereillustrated is a forward strap 110—it could equally be any of thestraps—the snap buckle there illustrated would connect the forward strapkayak segment 111 with the forward strap seat segment 112 s. As will beeasily understood, due to the widespread use of snap buckles, the maleportion 116 of the snap buckle is inserted into the female portion 115.When this occurs, the outer tines 117 a and 117 b are forced toward thecenter tine 118 when the male portion is inserted into the opening 119of the female portion. These outer tines snap back to expanded positionwhen further insertion brings their barbs 121 a and 121 b, respectively,into the cutaways 122 a and 122 b, respectively, of the female portion115. Once there, the male portion is held securely within the femaleportion.

Certainly other connector types could be used, and even Velcro® might beused. However, it is believed that snap buckles 114, as shown, providethe best, cost effective means of securing the passenger seat 100 or theforward hatch cover 180 to the kayak 10 in a secure, waterproof manner.

It will be noted that straps 110, 120 and 130 are conceptually similar,whether in reference to the forward passenger seat 100 or the forwardhatch cover 180, and are intentionally shown as such in the Drawing.

However, there is a difference in the case of snap buckles. As shown inFIG. 4, attached to the forward passenger seat 100 are segments of fivestraps (e.g., forward strap seat segment 112 s), each of whichterminates in a snap buckle portion connectable with a correspondingsnap buckle portion at the end of a strap segment whose opposite end isattached to the upper surface 90 of the kayak hull 20. However, theforward hatch cover has only one attached strap segment 112 hc, which issecured by a rivet 182 in the forward apex 184 of the forward hatchcover.

Thus, the snap buckle terminus of each of the five straps attached tothe upper surface 90 of the hull 20 may be connected to the snap buckleterminus of the corresponding strap segment attached to the forwardpassenger seat. However, in the case of the forward hatch cover, asshown in FIG. 3, only the forward strap 110 joins the forward hatchcover to the hull, while the hull-attached segments of the second seatstraps 120 a and 120 b are brought across the forward hatch cover andsnapped together. Likewise, the hull-attached segments of the third seatstraps 130 a and 130 b are brought across the forward hatch cover andsnapped together.

Thus, with proper selection of the respective snap buckle termini andprovision of necessary length adjustment in the segments of the secondseat straps 120 a and 120 b and of the third seat straps 130 a and 130 bthat attach to the upper surface 90 of the hull 20—certainly within thelevel of skill of the ordinary practitioner—the forward passenger seat100 and forward hatch cover 180 may easily be interchanged, providing asecure, waterproof hatch covering in either case, even with snap buckleconnections. This interchangeability, with or without snap buckleconnections, promoted by selection of the type and dimensions of thevarious elements of the forward passenger seat and the forward hatchcover, and their respective straps, is a fundamental aspect of thisinvention.

There are many alternatives to the foregoing forward passenger seatdesign, and its suggested variations, that would be well within thelevel of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the forward passengerseat might be incorporated into the forward hatch cover, itself, perhapsas an indentation molded into the upper surface of the hatch cover, oras a flip-up seat that pivots into position from a recess in the uppersurface of the hatch cover. Those and all designs providing a forwardseat at or near the forward hatch that does not intrude substantiallyinto the hold through the forward hatch are well within the scope of theinvention as described and claimed.

In other embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, anaft seat 176 may be provided within the aft portion 40 of the kayak 10,behind the operator seat 80, to allow an aft passenger 180 to accompanythe operator 50, whether or not a forward passenger seat 100 (see FIG.10) is provided. In those embodiments that provide it, the aft seat ispreferably integral with the kayak, as perhaps a recess molded into it.Forward of the aft seat, is a deeper aft drain recess 171 provided withaft scupper drains 177 a and 177 b, for drainage of water taken on.These aft scupper drains are thus similar in design and function to theforward scupper drains 173 a and 173 b.

Alternatively, the aft seat could be a selectively insertable assemblycorresponding to the passenger seat 100, together with its associatedelements. However, for the sake of structural integrity and otherreasons, such as cost-effectiveness, it is not believed to beparticularly desirable to provide such a complex, removable second seat,although provision of such an element would not fall outside the scopeof the invention as described and claimed.

With particular reference to FIG. 9, as in the case of the additionalforward storage space 150 in the forward passenger seat 100, tie-downwebbing 190 may be provided over the aft seat 176, for hold-down storageof additional articles topside when a passenger 180 is not present. Thiswebbing could be elastic, e.g., a bungee cord, or rigid, e.g., ordinarynylon rope. Whatever the material chosen, it may be strung throughholding loops 192 a, 192 b, 192 c, 192 d, 192 e and 192 f, or otherwise,in any convenient manner. As with the forward counterpart, a perhapswaterproof, flexible covering could alternatively or additionally beprovided, with its corners clipped or otherwise conveniently attached tothese holding loops. These and other alternatives, such as selection ofthe webbing material, if employed, are well within the level of ordinaryskill in the art.

If the webbing or covering is not being exclusively used for topsidestorage, the aft passenger 180 could sit atop the tie-down webbing.Obviously, no passenger would be placed beneath any portion of thetie-down webbing or flexible covering, forward or aft, because if thekayak capsizes, everyone must be able to jump free of the kayak easilyand without entanglement. FIG. 9 illustrates the operator drain channel200, which directs excess water forward into the operator scupper drain202. Similarly, an aft drain channel 210 channels excess water into theaft drain recess 171 and thus into the aft scupper drains 177 a and 177b.

Attention will now be drawn to the aft hatch cover 220 (see FIGS. 9 and10), which, in embodiments of the invention in which an aft hatch 222 isprovided, covers that aft hatch. As in the case of the forward passengerseat 100, for example, the aft hatch cover is sealed tightly and inwaterproof fashion to the aft hatch. To accomplish this, the entirelower bearing surface 223 of the aft hatch cover is brought into firmcontact with the aft hatch reception lip 226 of the top 90 of the kayak,while the aft hatch cover insertion plug 224 is slid downward along theaft cargo hatch wall 228. It can easily be seen that the variouscontacting elements of the aft hatch cover and kayak top must bedimensioned for a close fit. As in the case of, and in similar mannerto, the forward passenger seat 100 and forward hatch cover 180, theattachment of the aft hatch cover is made to be waterproof. Also,because the aft hatch insertion plug does not intrude into the aft hatchbeyond the bottom of the aft cargo hatch wall, no space in the hold 170is taken by the aft hatch cover.

Attachment of the aft hatch cover 220 to the kayak 10 may beaccomplished by any means that will ensure a tight, waterproof fit. Inthe preferred design of the present embodiment of the invention,attachment is by means of four aft hatch cover T-handles 230 a, 230 b,230 c and 230 d, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. As is well known in theart, and as shown in a summary fashion in FIG. 10, each T-handleinitially rests in its respective cradle 231 a, 231 b, 231 c and 231 d.To remove the aft hatch cover 220, each of the T-handles is pivotedupward and then twisted, as shown in FIG. 10. The twisting motion causesa tongue of each T-handle (not shown), originally in tight bearingrelationship with the underside 229 of the reception lip 226 and thusholding the aft hatch cover firmly in place, to revolve outward from thereception portion into the open space of the hatch 222, releasing theaft hatch cover for removal.

An important aspect of this invention is the fact that the plane of theaft hatch 222 and, therefore, of the aft hatch cover 220, lies at asubstantial slope in respect to the top 90 of the kayak 10. Those fewprior designs that have provided an aft hatch (see, e.g., the Berespatent identified above) invariably orient them essentially parallel tothe surface, so that hatch access through such hatches must be downward.However, in that case, it is very difficult to insert elongated items,such as fishing poles, into the hold from the aft portion forward. Ofcourse, the operator may try to bend them to do so, or the aft hatch canbe made so large (thus compromising structural integrity) that an itemcan be slid in at an angle. However, in the case of this embodiment ofthe present invention, where the orientation of the aft hatch and hatchcover is preferably at an angle of about 45° to the kayak top, insertionof an elongated item such as a fishing pole is trivially simple. Whilethe advantage of such an angled aft hatch is clear with the presentdiscussion and Drawing, no one appears ever to have introduced such aninnovation. It is thus believed to be novel and unobvious.

In other embodiments of the invention, an integral tank 240 is provided,as shown, e.g., in FIG. 10. Such a tank may be used as a bait tank (asshown in FIG. 12), or perhaps filled with ice or ice water, as abeverage cooler. In the latter regard, it will be noted that theoperator 50 is provided with a beverage holder 242, forward of theoperator seat 80, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. Whatever its desired use,in the preferred design of this embodiment, the tank is molded into thekayak 10. Presumably, a cavity could be molded into the kayak at theposition shown, with the tank, as a separate element securely insertedinto the cavity. But no advantage is seen in such a design, although itwould not depart from the scope of the invention as described andclaimed.

The tank cover 250 may be secured to the tank 240 in any convenientmanner, the particular means being left to the practitioner within thepresent teachings. In the preferred design of this embodiment of theinvention, attachment is by means of four tank cover straps 302 a, 302b, 302 c and 302 d, fastened, respectively, to forward seat loops 212 a,212 b, 212 c and 212 d, as shown in FIG. 10. Each of these illustratedstraps terminates in a connector, shown generically, by which it isfastened to its respective forward seat loop. The connector might, forexample, be a toggle clip, with a snap buckle 310 a, 310 b, 310 c and310 d, as shown, at some position in each respective strap fordetachment of the tank cover from the kayak. Alternatively, for example,attachment might employ T-handles, as in the case of the aft hatch cover220. These attachment means are merely suggestive of the many ways thetank cover might be secured to, and detached from, the kayak.

Unlike the aft hatch cover 220, the forward hatch cover 180 or theforward passenger seat 100 (if provided as a separate element,interchangeable with the forward hatch cover), the tank cover 250needn't be waterproof, as its purpose is merely to retain a level ofwater or other fluid within the tank 240. It is of no consequence ifsome of the fluid spills out into the forward recess 82 of the kayak 10and drains through the forward scupper drains 173 a and 173 b. Thisspilled fluid, together with water that happens to be taken on, will besucked away through the underside 280 of the kayak by the forward motionof the kayak through the water, in a manner well understood by boatdesigners. Essentially, the shape of the tapered indents 280, narrowingaft from the bottom of the respective scupper drain (see FIG. 13), pullswater from the scupper drains as the kayak moves forward. Gravity drawsadditional water from the forward recess of the kayak by gravity, to belikewise sucked away. These tapered indents are provided for all of thescupper drains in the kayak for essentially the same drainage purpose,operating similarly. In all cases, like the scupper drains themselves,they may merely be molded into the underside of the kayak.

Accordingly, an O-ring seal 246, which may be secured either to the tanktop insertion plug 245 or to the interior side of the upper tank rim249, is shown in FIG. 10, but it is not shown in FIG. 12, as use of sucha sealing device, other conventional sealing means, is purely optional.

In FIGS. 9-11, the tank 240 and the tank cover 250, in plan view, areoval in configuration (perhaps with a proportionately longer aspectratio than shown). In general, the tank and tank cover of thisembodiment of the invention are of “rounded shape,” i.e., in plan viewthey do not display angular corners. Such a rounded shape may, e.g., becircular, oval (as generally shown) or perhaps egg-shaped (i.e., an ovalwith unequal halves). This is an important aspect of the invention, forreasons that will quickly become apparent.

Initially, it is to be noted that prior kayak tank designs, in the fewkayaks that have provided them, are square or rectangular in planconfiguration, i.e., not of a rounded shape. However, since kayaking issupposed to be a pleasurable endeavor, such a shape is inconvenient fortwo important reasons, each of which appears to have escaped thedesigners of these prior tan-equipped kayaks.

First, it is inconvenient for the operator to straddle a sharp-corneredsquare or rectangular tank that is large enough to contain a substantialquantity of live bait, for example. Secondly, it is also uncomfortablefor the operator to sit on the tank, transversely with respect to theaxis of the kayak, while engaged in fishing. Merely glancing, for amoment, at the tank cover shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and considering thecircumstances in which the kayak 10 might be used during a fishingexpedition, the clear superiority of a rounded shape may readily beappreciated. Yet no one appears to have prospectively considered theadvantages of the rounded shape, as now shown.

For further comfort, a fishing seat pad 300 may be provided to softenbodily contact with the tank cover 250 during fishing, as shown in FIG.11. Like the operator seat pad 83, the fishing seat pad may beconstructed of any material that provides a degree of comfort, yet doesnot rapidly deteriorate upon water contact. The exact choice ofmaterials and other aspects of design are left to the practitioner, inview of the present teachings. Likewise, it is left to the practitionerto provide the exact attachment mechanism whereby the fishing seat padis secured atop the tank cover. I prefer to adhesively attach thefishing seat pad atop the tank cover, so that, by means of the four tankcover straps 302 a, 302 b, 302 c and 302 d, perhaps sewn onto thefishing seat pad at appropriate points, the combined assembly may besecured to, and detached from, the kayak as a unit.

When not in use, the fishing seat pad 300 (or the combined fishing seatpad and tank cover), like the operator seat pad 83, can be stowed in thehold 170, along with whatever else the operator finds it convenient tostore there, such as a spare paddle.

It is anticipated that the tank 240 would likely be used as a bait tank,as shown in FIG. 12. In that case, a pump would be provided to circulatewater into the tank for the benefit of the live bait. Since water wouldnormally be continuously pumped into the bait tank, it would overflowthe tank and drain through the tank overflow conduits 260 a and 260 b.The details of such a pump and its associated electrical and conduitmeans are not here described, as being entirely conventional.

The tank overflow conduits 260 a and 260 b may be described in referenceto FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Assuming the tank 240 is being used as a baittank, as shown in FIG. 12, if water sloshes or progressively overflowsfrom the region storing the live bait, it can exit through one of theoverflow conduits into its respective scupper drain. As shown in FIG.12, this would be left tank overflow conduit 260 a, directing water intoleft forward scupper drain 173 a. Egress from the tank is, in FIG. 12,behind the tank cover insertion plug 245 and upper tank rim 249, justbeneath the kayak top 90. Obviously, to prevent the live bait fromescaping, the cross-section of the overflow conduit 260 a must be fairlysmall, as is shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Further details of overflowfrom the tank are left to the practitioner, in view of the presentteachings.

Referring to FIGS. 14-25, alternative embodiments of the invention,wherein one or two additional, transversely-positioned enclosures areprovided, will now be described. In these embodiments, the central tank240 of, e.g., FIG. 10, becomes the axial enclosure 450 of, e.g., FIG.16, and, as in the embodiment described above, the axial enclosure and(each) additional, side enclosure is “topside,” i.e., part of or inproximity with the deck of the kayak 10. Thus, by their topsidepositioning, these enclosures are readily distinguishable from the cargohold 170, which is within the kayak.

In most configurations of this basic embodiment, there are twoadditional enclosures, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 14, each of which istransversely-positioned in respect to the axial enclosure 450. Ofcourse, one of the transverse enclosures could be omitted if desired, orreplaced with some other structure, without departing from the essenceof this embodiment of the invention. Likewise, one or both of suchtransversely-positioned enclosures may be provided without some of theother preferred or discretionary features of the kayak described above,such as the forward passenger seat 100, the sloping aft hatch cover 220,etc.

In the embodiment shown within circular region 400 in FIG. 14, the axialenclosure and two additional, transversely-positioned enclosures aredepicted in a closed-cover configuration (in contrast, e.g., with FIG.16, where they are in open-cover configuration), where the axialenclosure cover 405 covers the axial enclosure 450, while the leftenclosure cover 410 a covers the left enclosure 430 a and the rightenclosure cover 410 b covers the right enclosure 430 b. It will benoted, from the Drawing, that “left” and “right” refer to respectivepositions when viewed in a forward direction. As in the case of theintegral tank 240, the axial enclosure may be used as a bait tank,beverage cooler, storage container, or for any other desired purpose.Preferably, if it is used for a liquid-containing purpose, it may berendered essentially watertight by use of an O-ring 465 (see, e.g., FIG.20), or by any other means conventionally understood or used, or whichmight, in the future, be devised to render an enclosure watertight whenits cover is in a closed position. In the ensuing discussion, it will beassumed that the axial enclosure is, indeed, to be used to contain aliquid such as seawater (e.g., for use as a bait tank and/or catchtank), it being understood that this is not necessarily the case, nor isthis essential to the invention as described and claimed herein.

Referring first to FIG. 15, it is seen that, in this embodiment, theaxial enclosure cover 405 incorporates a central window 420, which maybe hand-threaded into and out of central window threads 424 of the axialenclosure cover by use of the finger inserts 422 a, 422 b. The centralwindow is preferably transparent, so that the operator may, at anydesired time, observe the contents of the axial enclosure 450, e.g., thelive bait if it is employed as a bait tank. Of course, it mayalternatively be opaque or translucent, if such visual monitoring is notnecessary or desired.

The axial enclosure 450 is opened by operating the axial enclosureT-handle 407 as described above in respect to, e.g., T-handle 230 a.When opened, the axial enclosure cover 405 rotates upward (see, e.g.,FIG. 16), pivoting around the pivot pin 406 (shown extended outward inFIGS. 16 and 23 for clarity only), which runs through the pivot pinreceiver 409, which is attached to or integral with the axial enclosurecover. The pivot pin also runs through the cover rotation projection411, which is attached to or integral with the upper surface 90 of thekayak 10. With reference, e.g., to FIG. 16, it can be seen that, in thisembodiment, the axial enclosure cover is strengthened with integralaxial enclosure cover reinforcement webbing 435. This provides extrastructural integrity to facilitate support of the operator or otherindividual atop the axial enclosure cover while fishing or otherwiseseated upon or standing atop the axial enclosure cover.

In the preferred configuration of this embodiment of the invention, theaxial enclosure 450 is integral with the kayak 10, i.e., the axialenclosure wall 452 is actually part of the structure of the kayak.Accordingly, in this embodiment, a means must be provided whereby theaxial enclosure cover 405 may be firmly cinched down, so that it can, ifdesired, render the axial enclosure essentially watertight. One of manyobvious ways to accomplish this is to provide a securing bar 453 at theaxial enclosure wall on the opposite side from the pivot pin receiver409, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 22. In these depictions, the securing baris integral with a securing plate 462, which is attached to the axialenclosure wall by means of securing plate pins 464 (see, e.g., FIG. 22).Of course, it could alternatively be integral with the axial enclosurewall at that position, e.g., by being molded into the axial enclosurewall structure. Using the configuration shown in FIG. 16 as an example,the axial enclosure cover T-handle prong 408 would be rotated, byrotation of the axial enclosure cover T-handle 407 (see, e.g., FIG. 15),to slide along the underside of the securing bar, from right to left inthe configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 22. FIG. 22 shows, in phantom,the final configuration of the axial enclosure cover T-handle prongagainst the securing bar stop 453 (see, FIG. 17) when the cover issecured. It will be seen, in FIG. 20, that the axial enclosure coverT-handle prong may be laterally restrained by a T-handle flange 460,attached to the underside of the axial enclosure cover, through whichthe prong projects.

The left enclosure cover 410 a and right enclosure cover 410 b may besecured, respectively, to the left enclosure 430 a and right enclosure430 b by using, respectively, T-handles 412 a, 412 b and T-handles 414a, 414 b. In the configuration shown in FIG. 16, where the leftenclosure 430 a and right enclosure 430 b are not necessarily watertightwhen their respective covers are secured to them, there is no need for awatertight sealing mechanism. As shown, the right enclosure T-handleprongs 424 a, 424 b, which append, respectively, from right enclosureT-handles 414 a, 414 b, simply slide, by rotation, into the groove 425 bin the upper portion of the interior wall of the right enclosure. Ofcourse, more sophisticated securing means may be provided for the leftenclosure cover and right enclosure cover, e.g., to selectively renderthese enclosures watertight, and these would be well within the skill ofthe ordinary practitioner in light of the present teachings. Thus, nosuch means are shown, the present teachings believed sufficient to fullypresent these principles.

As in the case of the axial enclosure cover 405, the left enclosurecover 41 0 a and right enclosure cover 410 b are, in the illustratedembodiment, strengthened, respectively, with integral left enclosurecover reinforcement webbing (440 a, not shown) and integral rightenclosure cover reinforcement webbing 440 b. This strengthening isprovided for the same reasons as in the case of the axial enclosurecover, as described above.

It can readily be seen, e.g., from FIG. 14, that when the three coversare secured in place, particularly where, as here illustrated, the uppersurfaces of the covers are essentially coplanar, there is provided anexpansive area, which can easily be configured to be essentially flushwith the upper surface 90 of the kayak 10, on which the operator orother person may sit or stand as desired.

Also, although not shown, this area may, if desired, be provided with anintegral or attachable/detachable cushion, as a fairly simple extensionof the concepts described above in respect to the tank 240, as shown,e.g., in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is believed that the practitioner ofordinary skill would be able readily to extend those teachings toprovide an appropriate covering for the present three-enclosureembodiment or for a two-enclosure embodiment (i.e., lacking either theright or left enclosure, or replacement thereof with some otherstructure) without the need for more than ordinary mechanical designskill. Of course, provision of such a cushion for the presentthree-enclosure or two-enclosure embodiment is not fundamental to theinvention, but merely optional.

Within the axial enclosure 450, as shown in FIG. 16, but perhaps moreclearly in FIGS. 20 and 24, is a pump 455, which may be useful inembodiments where the axial enclosure is intended to beliquid-containing, e.g., where it is used for a bait tank or catch tank.As shown in FIG. 20, where the liquid within the axial enclosure isambient water (e.g., seawater), the water is sucked from beneath thekayak 10 through a pump inlet orifice 475, into whose pump inlet orificethreads 476 the pump conduit 459 is threaded, for a more-or-lesswatertight fit (perhaps employing a sealing mechanism, not shown but mayreadily be provided by an ordinary practitioner). The liquid is thenexpelled into the interior of the axial enclosure through a spout 456,and excess liquid can overflow and drain away similarly to the mannerdescribed in connection with FIG. 12. The pump is electrically poweredin most embodiments, the power being supplied through electrical lines457 (see, e.g., FIG. 16), leading to a storage battery 470 contained inthe left enclosure 430 a, the right enclosure 430 b, the cargo hold 170or in any other convenient or desired location. The switching mechanism458, shown as a toggle switch, which intervenes between the pump and thebattery, may similarly be positioned wherever desired. The poweringfeatures of this configuration are conventional and well within theskill of the ordinary practitioner in view of these teachings.Accordingly, it is not believed that they need to be describe or shownin further detail.

As also shown in FIG. 20, a drainage plug 480 may selectively beinserted into the base of axial enclosure 450, by threading into thedrainage plug threads 486 of the drainage orifice 485. Its purpose, ofcourse, is to selectively admit and expel the liquid contents of theaxial enclosure to the ambient at the lower surface 290 of the kayak 10.It can be rendered essentially watertight by conventional sealing means,as desired, but such sealing is not believed to be absolutely necessary.

It will be noted, from FIG. 21, that the pump inlet orifice 475 meetsthe lower surface 290 of the kayak 10 in the aft region of a pump inletdepression 477 in the lower surface of the kayak. It will be seen thatthe transverse dimension of the pump inlet depression tends generally toincrease in an aft direction. This configuration may be designated“aft-expanding.” Conversely, the drainage plug orifice 485 meets thelower surface of the kayak in the forward region of the drainage orificedepression 487, whose transverse dimension generally tends to decreasein an aft direction. This configuration may be designated“aft-contracting.” In this embodiment, when the pump 455 is operatingand the drainage plug 480 is removed, the aft-expanding configuration ofthe pump inlet depression tends to direct ambient water into the pumpinlet orifice, in streamlined fashion, as the kayak moves forward, whilethe aft-contracting configuration of the drainage orifice depressiontends to direct drained liquid away from the kayak, likewise instreamlined fashion.

It should be noted that, whereas the axial enclosure 450 is shown in theDrawing as having a “rounded shape” (i.e., oval in plan view orotherwise “rounded” as hereinabove described in connection with thesimilar central tank 240), this is not entirely necessary. In the“three-enclosure” or “two-enclosure” embodiments just described, theaxial enclosure and each of the one or two additional,transversely-positioned, enclosures could be essentially rectangular inplan shape. However, a rounded configuration of the axial enclosure ispreferred, because I have found that when it is used, e.g., as a baittank, the live bait stored therein appear to survive longer than if theyare stored in a tank with relatively sharp corners. That favorablecharacteristic of a rounded shape axial tank is in addition to theconvenience of this shape in embodiments without transversely positionedenclosures, as described above. Thus, the axial enclosure is preferablyof rounded plan shape, and the side enclosures are preferably of matingplan shape, as shown in the Drawing. But they may individually be of anyconvenient shape to suit the desires of the particular practitioner.

In the preferred embodiment, the axial enclosure 450 and each sideenclosure 430 a, 430 b, is integral with the kayak 10. In other words,each is part of the kayak structure, itself. However, as in thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 25, any of these three enclosuresmay be configured to be removable from the kayak. However, the axialenclosure is preferably integral with the kayak structure, because ofthe preferred pumping and associated elements, described above, whichare typically desirable. If any of these enclosures is configured to beremovable, it may be attached to the kayak in any conventional manner,such as bolting, adhesive attachment or simply by being forced into aposition that is sized properly to hold it securely in place. The mannerin which it is actually attached to the kayak is left to the ordinarypractitioner as being well within the ability of such an individual todevise, in light of the present teachings. As in the case of the axialenclosure, a side enclosure that is integral (e.g., molded within thekayak) may be provided with a structure similar to the securing bar 453described above in respect to an embodiment of the axial enclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 25 (noting that here the kayak 10 aftdirection is toward the left and its forward direction is toward theright), the battery 470 and switch 458, shown in the left enclosure 430a in FIG. 16, would, in the FIG. 25 embodiment, more likely be containedin the right enclosure 430 b, since the left enclosure is here shown tobe selectively removable. It will be recalled, from the abovediscussion, that this is a suggested alternative. Indeed, this mayperhaps be a preferable configuration, as most individuals areright-handed.

Again, with reference to FIG. 25, it is seen that when the leftcompartment 530 a is removed from its left nesting space 540 a in thekayak 10, access is provided to the cargo hold 170, for easy retrievalof items stored therein. As shown in FIG. 25, the left compartment inthis embodiment corresponds to the left enclosure 430 a and itsassociated structures, as described above. Indeed, the chief differencebetween this embodiment and others previously described is that thestorage compartment is here selectively removable, and its removalexposes the cargo hold. In the preferred implementation of thisembodiment, all of the associated structures are the same as thecorresponding ones associated with the earlier described left enclosure.Accordingly, they have not been separately numbered and identified inFIG. 25, for efficiency, as it is assumed that one of ordinary skillwould be able to implement such a perfectly-functional removable leftcompartment from the teachings herein given. It is also believed thatsuch an individual could, using ordinary skill, implement the kayakdesign taught herein with a removable right compartment and/or aremovable tank or other axial enclosure. This might include the need toreconfigure or reposition the pump 455, the battery 470 and/or theswitch 458. But this is believed to be a trivial design matter, as isthe manner in which the removable compartments may be secured to thekayak.

Having now discussed, in some detail, the construction and operation ofa kayak according to embodiments of the invention not includingmotorized propulsion, attention will now be drawn to the principalembodiment of the present invention, in which a motor and hands-freerudder steering are provided. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 26,et. seq., of the Drawing.

Initially, it should be noted that FIGS. 26, et. seq., are purposelysimplified to show details of the motorized embodiments of the disclosedkayak. For example, FIG. 34 does not clearly show the front passengerseat, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 32. Such omissions are merely for thepurpose of drawing particular attention to the motor-related features ofthe present invention. It is to be understood that any of the featuresshown in any of FIGS. 1-38, inclusive, or otherwise described, may beincorporated into any embodiment of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 30and 32, and is essentially an extension of the embodiment shownprincipally in FIGS. 14 to 25 of the Drawing, with the addition of motorand steering related assemblies that characterize the present invention.

Accordingly, in FIGS. 26, et. seq., few of the structures that areessentially identical to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 25 will bespecifically marked in the Drawing, to permit attention to be drawn tothe particular features of the present preferred embodiment withoutdistraction. Accordingly, FIG. 26 shows the kayak 10 depicted, e.g., inFIGS. 16 and 18, with axial enclosure cover 405 covering the axialenclosure 450 (or bait tank 240: see, e.g., FIG. 10), left enclosurecover 410 a covering the left enclosure 430 a (see, e.g., Figure andright enclosure cover 410 b covering the right enclosure 430 b. Forwardof the axial enclosure and the operator seat 80 are the right and leftsides of the forward portion 84 of the forward recess 82. Along theinterior sides of the kayak, adjacent to the left and right portions ofthe forward portion of the forward recess, are left foot pedal assembly550 a and right foot pedal assembly 550 b. The right foot pedal assemblyis removably attached to the right rudder control track 555 b, asdescribed shortly. The mirror-image left rudder control track 555 a isshown, e.g., in FIG. 32.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 27 and 28, each rudder control track555 a, 555 b is slidably engaged with a corresponding rudder controlrail 558 a, 558 b. Each rudder control rail is attached to thecorresponding side of the kayak by means of one or more (e.g., two areshown in FIG. 27) rail fastener assemblies 561 a, 561 b. Each railfastener assembly includes a rail rivet 556 a, 556 b, which projectsthrough the central rail fastener spacer 559 a, 559 b, which is axiallyconcentric with a support spacer 557 a, 557 b, as shown in FIG. 28.Other types of rail fasteners may be utilized to secure the ruddercontrol rail to the corresponding side of the kayak. Use of a simplerivet and associated spacers for this purpose is merely an example ofmeans for configuring the rudder control track and corresponding ruddercontrol rail. Other differential movement means are doubtless possible,in light of the present teachings.

In operation, using the right foot pedal assembly 550 b as ourexample—the operation of the left foot pedal assembly 550 a beingidentical—the position of the right foot pedal 562 b is adjusted tocompensate for the lengths of the operator's legs by locking the rightfoot pedal assembly into a particular retaining slot 560 b within theright rudder control track 555 b, to compensate for the length of theparticular operator's leg. This is accomplished by squeezing the rightfoot pedal control handle 551 b, which compresses the right foot pedalspring 552 b, which is secured to the right foot pedal assembly by meansof the right spring rivet 553 b. This causes the right adjustment prong554 b to disengage from the retaining slot, as shown in FIG. 27. By thensliding the right foot pedal assembly, specifically the right footassembly guide 540 b, longitudinally along the right rudder controltrack, while continuing to squeeze the control handle, the rightadjustment prong may be re-engaged to another retaining slot byreleasing the grip. Other adjustment means may be devised by those ofordinary skill, in view of the present disclosure, although the presentdesign appears quite convenient.

Having thus adjusted the positioning of the two foot pedal assemblies550 a and 550 b, the operator controls the rotational orientation of therudder 572, which is part of the rudder assembly 570 (see, e.g., FIGS.34 and 37), by differential foot pressure on the respective foot pedals562 a, 562 b. The rudder assembly is attached to the aft end 40 of thekayak 10 by means of the rudder mounting bracket 588. As shown, e.g., inFIG. 34, the right pedal controls the counterclockwise movement (as seenlooking downward onto the kayak 10, as shown there) of the rudder, whilethe left pedal controls its clockwise movement. Since the rudder cables580 a, 580 b are non-elastic, each pedal counters the effect of theother, as controlled by the operator. Thus, the operator's selectiveforce on the two pedals ultimately causes the rudder assembly to pivotabout the rudder support axis 590, and thus precisely control thedirection of movement of the kayak, the right pedal causing the kayak toturn toward the right, and the left pedal causing it to turn toward theleft. This provides true hands-free operation of the kayak, enabling theoperator to, e.g., fish while in motion.

As shown, e.g., in FIG. 27, the right rudder cable 580 b connects to theright eye-ring 581B, attached to the aft end 582 b of the right ruddercontrol track 555 b. The remainder of the right rudder cable extendsthrough the hull 20 of the kayak 10, emerging through the right cableorifice 583 b and ultimately connecting with the right retaining stud584 b of the rudder frame 586. See, e.g., FIG. 34. The attachments andoperation of the left rudder cable 580 a are identical.

The rudder 572 may be selectively engaged, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 37,and disengaged, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 35 and 36. Disengagement of therudder 572 is accomplished by rotating the rudder upward (i.e., byrotating the rudder disc 591 counterclockwise, when the kayak 10 isviewed from the left side, with the forward portion to the left, asshown in FIGS. 36 and 37), about the rudder pivot 592 and onto the uppersurface 90 of the aft end 40 of the kayak. In the preferred embodiment,as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the rudder, in the disengaged position,rests in the space between the two halves 595 a and 595 b of themodified aft carrying handle 594, which is axially located in thisembodiment, allowing the rudder 572 to likewise be axially positioned.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 36, the disengaged rudder may rest alongone side of a normal, solid aft carrying handle 42. In practice, whetherthe rudder is precisely axial (e.g., FIG. 35) or slightly to one side(FIG. 36) makes virtually no difference in the relative positions of thefoot pedals to ensure uniform forward or rearward motion of the kayak.In fact, one could easily compensate for this slight misalignment byvery slightly adjusting the longitudinal positions of the right and leftrudder control tracks 555 a, 555 b, although this is believed to beunnecessary. In any event, the orientation of the engaged rudder in theFIG. 36 embodiment is shown in FIG. 37.

It will be noted, in passing, that in FIG. 34, the extension of therudder 572 from the rudder disc is exaggerated, as the rudder, whenengaged and viewed from above, would be hardly visible. This exaggerateddepiction was provided merely to show the various element relationships.

FIGS. 29-33 and 38, show the kayak 10 according to the preferredembodiment, with its motor 600 in its engaged position. The motor isheld by its motor shaft 605, at whose upper end is a crook 610, whoseterminal projection 611 rests in the motor positioning depression 612,when the motor is in its engaged position as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 29,30 and 33. The purpose of this crook and depression is to prevent themotor from rotating about the axis of the motor shaft while inoperation, which would, of course, make steering difficult. There arecertainly many other ways to prevent such rotation, and clearly one ofordinary skill, could, in light of these teachings, develop several ofthem. The means shown is merely a simple yet effective suggestion.

Turning to FIG. 31, disengagement of the motor 600 is accomplished bypulling upward on the motor shaft 605, e.g., by pulling upward on thecrook 610, until the spring-loaded shaft detent 620 projects outwardalong the upper surface 90 of the hull, thus preventing downward motionof the motor shaft and motor until the shaft detent is manually forcedinward while the motor is lowered. Once again, there are many ways toaccomplish selective motor disengagement, which would be readilyapparent to one of ordinary skill, based on these teachings, and thedetent concept shown is merely suggested as an easily-implementable oneof many possibilities.

As suggested by FIG. 38, the motor 600, when disengaged, rests in themotor securing depression 601 in the lower surface 290 of the kayak 10,whose shape conforms to that of the motor housing 602 and motor blades604. As is well understood by those of ordinary skill, when the motor isin that disengaged position, with only its motor fin 603 and the lowersurface of the motor housing projecting into the fluid ambient, it willpresent little obstruction to the smooth forward or rearward movement ofthe kayak.

The motor 600 is powered by a battery 630 housed in the cargo hold 170.The battery intervenes between the motor and controller 640, by means ofpower cables 650, 651 and 652, the latter two cables projecting throughthe motor shaft 605 to the motor, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 33. Thecontroller is a conventional potentiometer device with a control stick660 for movement rotationally through the guide space 650 in thecontroller housing 661, to selectively control the orientation of themotor rotation, i.e., to move the kayak 10 forward or toward the rear.Also, as is customary with such devices, the position of the controlstick in respect to the vertical direction determines motor speed. Thepower and speed control mechanisms are, in all respects, entirelyconventional and well within the capacity of those of ordinary skill toimplement adequately in a number of ways. Of course, the controllercould be positioned on either side of the kayak, and could be of anylevel of complexity, including detent-held “autopilot” or other desiredmodes.

The battery 630, may, of course, constitute the earlier describedbattery 470, which controls the pump 455 in embodiments utilizing such apump. In such a case, the battery would require additional wiring topower both the motor 600 and the pump. Such wiring would be a trivialdesign matter for one of ordinary skill in the electrical circuitry art,in light of the present teachings.

The foregoing discussion is intended merely to apprise those of ordinaryskill in the art of kayak design and construction as to the inventiveaspects of the present invention. It is assumed that many modificationsmight be made by such practitioners, based on these teachings, andseveral possible alternatives have been suggested above, e.g.,incorporation of the forward passenger seat into the forward hatchcover, itself, rather than as a separate, interchangeable structure.Certainly, the choice of construction material, overall configuration,color, decoration and other aspects of the kayak 10, which are left tothe practitioner, would be well within the scope of the invention.

These and other modifications would be within the capability of theordinary practitioner, based on these teachings, and are merelysuggested as illustrating the fact that many further alternations andmodifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore,it must be understood that the illustrated and described embodimentshave been set forth only for the purpose of example and that theseshould not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the claimsto follow.

The words used in this Specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but also to include, by special definition inthis Specification, structures, materials or acts beyond the scope ofthe commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood inthe context of this Specification as including more than one meaning,then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to allpossible meanings supported by the Specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims,therefore, include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or actsfor performing substantially the same function in substantially the sameway to obtain substantially the same result.

Insubstantial departures from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims, even though not performing exactly the same function insubstantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.Therefore, substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skillin the art will be within the scope of the defined elements. The claimsare thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustratedand described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can beobviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the invention.

1. A kayak comprising: a. a hull; b. an operator seat for selectivelypositioning an operator of the kayak; c. a hold within the hull; d. ahatch exposing the hold to the ambient; e. a hatch cover to prevent asubstantial quantity of water from entering the hold through the hatchwhen the hatch cover is positioned at the hatch and secured to the hull,no substantial portion of the hatch cover inserted into the hold whenthe hatch cover is positioned at the hatch and secured to the hull; f.hatch cover retention means to secure the hatch cover to the hull at thehatch, the hatch cover retention means comprising: (1) first securingmeans attached to the hatch cover; and (2) second securing meansattached to the hull, (3) the first securing means and the secondsecuring means mutually connectable to cause the hatch cover to beselectively secured to the hull at the hatch; g. a substantially rigidfirst enclosure positioned proximately forward of the operator seat andsymmetrically in respect to the longitudinal axis of the kayak; and h. asubstantially rigid second enclosure positioned transversely to thefirst enclosure.
 2. The kayak as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga substantially rigid third enclosure positioned transversely to thefirst enclosure opposite from the second enclosure.
 3. The kayak asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a first enclosure coverconfigured and positioned to selectively cover the first enclosure andto selectively expose the interior of the first enclosure to theambient.
 4. The kayak as recited in claim 3, wherein the first enclosurecover is configured and positioned to selectively render the firstenclosure substantially watertight.
 5. The kayak as recited in claim 3,further comprising a second enclosure cover configured and positioned toselectively cover the second enclosure and to selectively expose theinterior of the second enclosure to the ambient.
 6. The kayak as recitedin claim 5, further comprising a third enclosure cover configured andpositioned to selectively cover the third enclosure and to selectivelyexpose the interior of the third enclosure to the ambient.
 7. The kayakas recited in claim 1, wherein the first enclosure is integral with thekayak.
 8. The kayak as recited in claim 1, wherein the second enclosureis integral with the kayak.
 9. The kayak as recited in claim 2, whereinthe third enclosure is integral with the kayak.
 10. The kayak as recitedin claim 6, wherein the first, second and third enclosure covers areconfigured and positioned so that when the first, second and thirdenclosures are covered the upper surfaces of the first, second and thirdenclosure covers are substantially coplanar.
 11. The kayak as recited inclaim 1, wherein the first enclosure contains pumping means forselectively circulating a liquid within the first enclosure.
 12. Thekayak as recited in claim 11, wherein the pumping means comprises liquiddrawing means for drawing liquid into the first enclosure from outsidethe first enclosure.
 13. The kayak as recited in claim 12, wherein theliquid drawing means comprises conduit means for directing liquid intothe first enclosure from outside the kayak.
 14. The kayak as recited inclaim 13, wherein the conduit means includes an intake orifice in anaft-expanding inlet depression in proximity with the lower surface ofthe kayak.
 15. The kayak as recited in claim 11, wherein the pumpingmeans comprises a selectively operable, electrically-powered pump. 16.The kayak as recited in claim 15, wherein the pump is powered by astorage battery stored in the second enclosure.
 17. The kayak as recitedin claim 3, wherein the first enclosure cover includes inspection meanspermitting visual observation of any contents of the first enclosure.18. The kayak as recited in claim 1, wherein the second enclosure isselectively removable from the kayak.
 19. The kayak as recited in claim18, wherein removal of the second enclosure from the kayak exposes thekayak hold to the ambient.
 20. The kayak as recited in claim 2, whereinthe third enclosure is selectively removable from the kayak and whereinremoval of the third enclosure from the kayak exposes the kayak hold tothe ambient.